Devon Mitchell was trying to make a statement for the little guys of New York City. The Bishop Ford running back and his team don’t always receive the same attention playing in the CHSFL Class AA-A division as the teams in the league’s top level and the PSAL’s City Championship division.

“I just wanted to prove a point,” Mitchell said.

Consider the point proven.

The American International College recruit was one of New York City’s top performers in a 31-7 loss to the Long Island senior all-stars in the 17th Annual Empire Challenge football game at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium Tuesday night. Mitchell ran for 45 yards on eight carries with a long of 17 yards. He gave the city a boost on its second drive of the game.

“You never feel good with a loss no matter what you do in a game, but it was fun though,” Mitchell said. “It was nice experience. I dreamt about this since junior high.”

Mitchell took his first three carries for a combined 37 yards, marching NYC down to the Long Island 36-yard line after it fell behind 6-0 early. With him taken out, the drive stalled at the 30. City coach Sean O’Connor said he and his staff was just sticking with the rotation it used in practice to try to get players into the game.

“After the first few carries I felt a rhythm,” Mitchell said. “Then coming out it’s a little stressful but it’s an all-star game. You can’t be selfish.”

Added O’Connor: “He was quiet all week in practice. Today he came to play. He was our best runner.”

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound back led Ford to the CHSFL Class A title last season rushing for two touchdowns and 148 yards on 33 carries in a win over St. Francis Prep. Despite missing two weeks with a right quad injury during the year, the All-Brooklyn honorable mention selection by The Post ran for 1,270 yards and 16 touchdowns.

This performance, he said, showed there is talent on every level of the CHSFL.

“It means we have a lot of gems,” Mitchell said.

Even in defeat he was able to fulfill a lifelong dream, donning the New York City uniform, playing for a good cause in front of more than 12,000 people and building relationships with new teammates.

“It was fun trying to do it, a lot of talent [was] out there,” Mitchell said. “You read about a lot of these guys on NYPost.com and I finally got to play with them and see what they’re about.”